SCoPEd Framework

Why SCoPEd matters

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Why SCoPEd matters

A historical lack of understanding about the counselling and psychotherapy profession has limited the potential for practitioners to fully contribute to the mental health and wellbeing of those in need. This is ultimately a disservice to clients, service users and patients, as evidence shows that counselling and psychotherapy can benefit people’s lives.

The SCoPEd framework provides clarity around the skills, knowledge, training and experience of counsellors and psychotherapists, ensuring that individuals receive services from appropriately trained professionals who meet consistent, recognised standards. By promoting transparency and setting clear guidelines, the SCoPEd framework fosters trust and safety in counselling and psychotherapy. Greater awareness and understanding of the benefits of these services will encourage more people in need to seek support.

The framework also supports clearer pathways for career progression and professional development, benefiting clients, employers and practitioners alike, and contributes to raising standards of care in the profession.

It also plays a key role in fostering collaboration across the profession, creating a shared language and standards across the different bodies involved. This enhances the recognition and credibility of the profession.

The SCoPEd framework ultimately helps counselling and psychotherapy be better understood, valued and trusted by clients, employers, commissioners and members of the public.

Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI)

The SCoPEd framework supports efforts to improve equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) within the counselling and psychotherapy profession by creating clearer pathways for career development and progression. By defining consistency and transparency around the skills, knowledge, training and experience for counsellors and psychotherapists, the framework helps to reduce barriers to entry through demystifying the profession and offering transparency.

Additionally, the framework allows partners to develop methods of recognising prior learning and experience, which can be particularly beneficial for those who may not follow traditional educational paths. This approach supports a more inclusive profession by making opportunities more accessible to a wider range of people.

Through encouraging a more diverse range of individuals to pursue careers in counselling and psychotherapy, the profession can better reflect the diversity of the communities it serves and provide more culturally competent services to all members of the public.